A survey of parents and other patrons of the Hope Public Schools is under way to provide input which will be used by the HPS administration and school board to set the course and direction for a planned “school of innovation.”

“We want to start collecting data from all stakeholders to help us make informed decisions concerning this project and all future projects,” Hart said.

He said the HPS proposal for the “school of innovation” is a pilot project that will provide for an open-enrollment school in grades 5-7 in the first year and grades 5-8 in the second year of its operation.

“We plan to survey parents, staff, students and the community during the next few months,” Hart said. “Our hope is that all of our patrons feel they have a voice in how the district sets its course for the next generation of residents and graduates.”

The 10-question survey explores attitudes of both parents and their children toward learning and the effectiveness of their current education.

The preliminary plan for the “school of innovation” is to incorporate the science, technology, engineering, art and math (STEAM) model as a basis for a rigorous curriculum that will prepare students for advancement to college or into a career after graduation from high school. Among the general goals of the plan is that students in the program attain a score of 19 or higher on the American College Test by their 10th grade year.

“Anyone with comments or suggestions is encouraged to complete the survey and email me personally at bobby.hart@hpsdistrict.org,” Hart said.